Nearly Labor Day

We enjoyed our weekend. Malin and I actually went on a date Friday night. After dinner we went rock climbing at an indoor arena. Malin told our sitter Ashley, "It was the worst date ever" because "Sara climbed up a wall I couldn't." Needless to say we will be going back to rock climb some more. Saturday I ran 18 miles in preparation for the Akron Marathon. Afterwards we went swimming with the kids and then out to dinner with friends. After church Sunday we took our bikes on the train and then attempted to bike back to our car. Poor Meredith got too hot and tired after 8 miles so Amelia and Malin biked the last 2 miles, got the car and met us. Before stopping we enjoyed some fresh, roasted, buttered, salted sweet corn and fruit sundaes. To finish out the weekend we shared a BBQ at our friends the Starr Redwines.These pictures are of Amelia and Meredith enjoying our porch during Sunday's thunderstorm. Wonder what will the storms be like in Cameroon?

To Chicago

Malin left this morning with a 10foot Budget truck loaded with medical supplies for Cameroon. Thankfully, he called to say he had arrived safely in Chicago. The truck needs to be returned by Sat at 9am, so he won't be lingering very long! This means we're taking one step closer to leaving for Cameroon.

In preparation for the truckload. I wrapped an ultrasound in over 100 ft of bubble wrap. Malin packed-up his dental equipment. Amelia and I went to Target to get a few things to send. While we were there I reminded her she had a doctor's appointment tomorrow. She asked if she had to get any shots. I said,"I think you might." Then she said, "Then I think I'm going to have to start crying." Which is exactly what she did. Fortunately Target has plenty of barbies to look at and that resolved the crying. She did end-up with 4 shots today so, her arms are pretty sore. 

Meredith's busy playing the kazoo and putting necklaces on. We're are going out for dinner tonight with friends. 

A wonderful visit

After a red-eye flight we made it back from Seattle, sorry to leave the Northwest once again. Our visit started with Malin's family reunion at Crescent Lake. Amelia thought celebrating her birthday with her cousins was the best party ever. I can't believe she is already five. While we were there Amelia became particularly tired and crabby as I talked to her about controlling her emotions she tearfully said, "Mommy I'm just not used to being 5. I need more practice."

Meredith enjoyed every sand, dust particle, rock and stick by tasting them first. She tried hard to keep up with the older cousins and was frequently wandering off to the slide without adult supervision. Her vocabulary expanded dramatically and she also learned many new animal noises. Her favorite word is still BALLOOOOON!

After a week the kids were completely worn out and then we headed to Oak Harbor. My family got in the usual crabbing, fishing, large meals and a special trip to the Vancouver aquarium. Amelia really enjoyed meeting the baby Beluga and Meredith proudly learned the word "fish".